Shoring apparatus

ABSTRACT

A shoring apparatus has an elongate support post having two ends. One of the ends of the support post is cylindrical while the other end of the support post is provided along its length with spaced apertures. A first telescoping sleeve surrounds the one end of the support post and is slidably mounted on the same, the sleeve having an engaging member or tooth which is adapted to selectively engage and be secured in locking relationship by one of the steps of a stepped rest collar fixed on the support post. The steps on the rest collar are incrementally axially spaced from each other about the periphery of said support post. A second telescoping sleeve has an apertured end and is slidably mounted on the other end of the support post to permit alignment of its aperture with one of the spaced apertures of the support post. A pin is removably receivable in respective aligned apertures of the second sleeve and the support post to prevent relative axial movement therebetween. The distance between each of the apertures in the support post represent a distance approximately equal to the totality of steps of the rest collar. In this manner, the overall length of the shoring apparatus can be adjusted coarsely by aligning respective apertures in the support post with the aperture in the second sleeve, and can be adjusted finely by selectively engaging the tooth of the first sleeve with one of the steps of the rest collar.

United States Patent [1 1 Larkin Mar. 11, 1975 I SHORING APPARATUS Sam Larkin, 254 Beach 140th St., Belle Harbor, N.Y.

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 248/354 P, 248/354 R, 403/107 [51] Int. Cl. E04g 25/00 [58] Field of Search 248/1882, 354 P. 354 R; 403/107 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,777,660 1/1957 Albrecht 248/354 P 2.988.318 6/1961 Ferguson ct a1 248/354 P 3.655.161 4/1972 Schnclcr 248/354 P FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1.229245 4/1971 Great Britain 248/354 R 378,175 8/1932 Great Britain 248/354 P 917.961 8/1954 Germany 248/354 P 199.850 9/1958 Austria 248/354 P Primary E.raminer-Wil1iam H. Schultz Attorney, Agent, or Firm Friedman & Goodman [57} ABSTRACT A shoring apparatus has an elongate support post having two ends. One of the ends of the support post is cylindrical while the other end of the support post is provided along its length with spaced apertures. A first telescoping sleeve surrounds the one end of the support post and is slidably mounted on the same. the sleeve having an engaging member or tooth which is adapted to selectively engage and be secured in locking relationship by one of the steps of a stepped rest collar fixed on the support post. The steps on the rest collar are incrementally axially spaced from each other about the periphery of said support post. A second telescoping sleeve has an apertured end and is slidably mounted on the other end of the support post to permit alignment of its aperture with one of the spaced apertures of the support post. A pin is removably receivable in respective aligned apertures of the second sleeve and the support post to prevent relative axial movement therebetween. The distance between each of the apertures in the support post represent a distance approximately equal to the totality of steps of the rest collar. In this manner, the overall length of the shoring apparatus can be adjusted coarsely by aligning respective apertures in the support post with the aperture in the second sleeve, and can be adjusted finely by selectively engaging the tooth of the first sleeve with one of the steps of the rest collar.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 1 II III/III 1 PATENTEDKARI 1 1915 3,870 268 sum 3 o FIG. 8..

FIG 4.

1 SHORING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to adjustable supporting devices, and more particularly to an adjustable shoring device which provides almost continuous adjustment in overall length by providing independently adjustable fine and coarse incremental adjusting means.

Shoring apparatus of various types are already known which are utilized to support different structures. More particularly, shoring apparatus are frequently utilized during the construction process wherein they are utilized to support floors until the same have been completed and reenforced sufficiently to support the anticipated loads of stresses without the assistance of the shoring devices. As is well known to those skilled in the art, it is desirable that the shoring devices be selectively adjustable over a wide range of affective lengths to thereby permit their use irrespective of the distance between the structure which is to be supported and the surface upon which the shoring device rests. Also, it is desirable that the shoring device be adjustable in almost a continuous manner. Such continuous or almost continuous adjustability in length assures that the structure to be supported is supported at the desired height and is not caused to bulge either upwardly or downwardly. Prior art shoring devices have not been satisfactory insofar as providing almost continuous adjustability of overall effective length of the shoring apparatus.

Once the structure being supported by the shoring apparatus has been completed and sufficiently reenforced, the shoring apparatus is then to be removed. However, there are frequently applied loads by the supported structure to the shoring apparatus which make it difficult to remove the latter even after its use is no longer required. The applied loads are compressive in nature and continue to act, even after the floor has been reenforced, due to the abutting or resting relationship between the floor and the shoring apparatus during the enforcement process. Consequently, any attempts to remove the shoring apparatus without first seeking to reduce its effective overall length to less than its effective length during the supporting stages may result in damage to the supported structure.

Generally, the prior art shoring apparatus do not provide a simple and convenient method of supporting a structure at the precise desired height and do not provide a method of simply removing the shoring apparatus after its use is no longer required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shoring apparatus which does not possess the above described disadvantages of comparable prior art shoring apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoring apparatus which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shoring apparatus which provides almost continuous adjustability of overall effective length.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a shoring apparatus which securely maintains its desired length over a wide range of compressive forces applied thereto.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shoring apparatus which includes means, for incrementally decreasing its overall length while supporting a structure and being under compressive loads, which facilitate removal of the shoring apparatus without the damage of the structure being supported.

In order to achieve the above objects, as well as other objects which will become apparent hereafter, the shoring apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a support post. A first telescoping sleeve is slidably mounted on one end of the support post. First incremental stop means cooperates with said support post and said first telescoping sleeve for selectively locking the relative positions therebetween in one of a first plurality of discrete steps. A second telescoping sleeve is slidably mounted on the other end of the support post. Second incremental stop means cooperates with said support post and said second telescoping sleeve for selectively locking relative positions therebetween in a second plurality of discrete steps. Each of the steps of said second plurality of steps are substantially greater than each of the steps of said first plurality of steps. In this manner, the overall length of the shoring apparatus can be adjusted finely by adjusting said first incremental stop means, and can be adjusted coarsely by adjusting said second incremental stop means.

According to a presently preferred embodiment, each step of said second plurality of steps represents a distance equal to the totality of steps of said first plurality of steps.

In the presently preferred embodiment, said first incremental step means comprises a stepped rest collar fixed on said support post, and an engaging member provided on said first telescoping sleeve configurated to selectively engage and be secured in locking relationship by one of the steps of said first plurality of discrete steps. The steps on the rest collar are incrementally axially spaced from each other about the periphery of said support post. Advantageously, each step of said rest collar is inwardly and downwardly inclined relative to a line generally defined by the steps of said first plurality of steps. Said engaging member has an inclined engaging edge adapted to engage a respective step of said rest collar. In this manner, increased application of loads to the shoring device, which tends to shorten the effective length of the same, causes said inclined engaging edge and the respective step to become more securely locked.

Said second incremental step means comprises, in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment, spaced apertures along at least a partial length of said other end of said support post. Said second telescoping sleeve has an apertured end surrounding said other end of said support post. The aperture and said telescoping sleeve is alignable with different ones of the apertures in said support post in different relative axial positions between said telescoping sleeve and said support post. A projecting member is provided which is removably receivable in respective aligned apertures in said support post and said second telescoping sleeve for preventing relative axial movement therebetween.

According to another advantageous feature of the present invention, an elongate member is mounted coaxially on said second telescoping sleeve for slidable movement relative to the latter. Said elongate member and one end of said second telescoping sleeve is slotted.

A release slide is provided which slidably passes through the slots in said elongate member and said second telescoping sleeve. The release slide is provided with thicker and thinner portions which can be selectively positioned within the slots. In this manner, insertion of the thicker portion into the slots causes the overall length of the shoring apparatus to increase while insertion of the thinner portion into said slots causes the overall length of the shoring device to decrease in length to thereby facilitate removal of the shoring apparatus while a load is still being applied thereto. The thicker and thinner portions are adjoined by an incline which facilitates slidable movement of said release slide from one position to the other.

According to yet another advantageous feature of the present invention, a plurality of spaced depressions are provided in said one end of said support post. Each of said depressions is positioned relative to one another to correspond to the relative positions of said discrete steps of said first incremental stop means. A set screw is threadably mounted on said first telescoping sleeve and is selectively insertable into one of said depressions. In this manner, locking engagement between said support post and said first telescoping sleeve provided by said first incremental stop means in one of said discrete steps is assured by insertion of said set screw into a respective depression of said support post. Such insertion prevents relative rotation between said support post and said first telescoping sleeve about the common axis of the latter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additional objects and advantages in view, as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the shoring apparatus in accordance with the present invention, shown in the fully retracted or shortened condition;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational cross section of the shoring apparatus shown in FIG. 1, exposing the intermediate support post, which is also shown partly broken away, and showing the release slide;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the intermediate support post, showing the central stepped rest collar, the depressions at one end thereof and spaced apertures at the other end thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged portion of the stepped rest collar shown in FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the engaging member or tooth of the upper telescoping sleeve engages a step of the rest collar;

FIG. 5 is a developed view of the stepped rest collar, showing the tooth of the upper telescoping sleeve in a position corresponding to the contracted condition of the respective telescoping sleeve;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 but showing the tooth of the telescoping sleeve engaging in intermediate tooth of the stepped rest collar corresponding to a partially extended condition of the telescoping sleeve;

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 5 but showing the tooth of the telescoping sleeve engaging a step of the rest collar corresponding to the fully extended condition of the telescoping sleeve;

FIG. 8 is a cross section of the shoring apparatus shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 88; and

FIG. 9 is a cross section of the shoring apparatus shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 9-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the FIGURES, wherein the identical or similar parts have been designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and first referring FIGS. 1-3, a shoring device or apparatus 10 is shown which includes an intermediate or centrally diposed support post 12. As can best be seen in FIG. 3, the shoring apparatus has an elongate cylindrical end 14 and an elongate apertured end 16 at the other end thereof.

Disposed between the cylindrical end 14 and apertured end 16 is a stepped portion or stepped annular rest collar 18. The rest collar 18 may either be integrally formed with the support post 12 or may be fixed thereto in any conventional manner. The stepped rest collar 18 forms part of a first incremental stop means which is utilized to finely adjust the overall length of the shoring apparatus, as will become apparent hereafter.

The stepped rest collar is annularly disposed about the periphery of the support post 12 and is provided with steps which are incrementally spaced from each other in the axial direction of the support post 12 about the periphery of the latter.

The steps 20 formed about the periphery of the stepped rest collar 18 may represent any desired distance in the axial direction. Advantageously, the steps are selected to be sufficiently small so as to provide the desired increments for fine adjustment of the shoring apparatus. Optionally, lines or markings 21 may be provided about the periphery of the stepped rest collar 18 to facilitate recognition of the various steps 20 and these may be marked in distance or length.

In FIG. 4, the details of the stepped rest collar are shown. The highest step 22, which corresponds to the fully extended condition of the telescoping sleeve 30, and the lowest step 24, which corresponds to the fully retracted condition of the sleeve 30, represent the axial range of fine adjustment which is possible with the shoring device. An intermediate step 26 is designated which defines the extent of axial engagement of the sleeve 30 with the elongate cylindrical end 14 during typical use of the shoring apparatus.

Advantageously, each step 20 of the rest collar 18 is inwardly and downwardly inclined relative to a line generally defined by the steps. The purpose for such construction will be described hereafter.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper telescoping sleeve or member 30 is provided with an abutting flange or plate 32 at one end thereof. The telescoping sleeve 30 is provided at the other end with two inclined edges 34 which are helical in form. The two helical edges 34 are joined by an edge 35 which is parallel to the axes of the shoring apparatus. At the point where the inclined edges and vertical edges 34, 35 respectively join, an engaging member or tooth 36 is provided whose details are best shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the engaging member or tooth 36 is provided with an inclined edge 37 which has a slope corresponding to the slopes of the inclines 28 of the steps 20. Because the inclines 28 slope inwardly and downwardly away from the line generally defined by the steps 20, the engaging member 36 is guided into and urged to fully engage a respective tooth by the resulting relative sliding motion between the tooth and the engaging member when an axial compressive force or load is applied between the support post 12 and the telescoping sleeve 30. By so inclining the steps and the engaging members 36, increased or improved locking is provided when the compressive loads are increased, which tend to shorten the effective length of the shoring apparatus.

The stepped rest collar 18 together with the engaging member 36 together comprise the first incremental stop means as utilized in this specification and in the claims.

Advantageously, the inclined edges 34 of the telescoping sleeve 30 corresponds to the line generally formed by the steps 20, as best shown in FIG. 4. In this manner, when full engagement is obtained between the engaging member 36 and a respective step 20, the telescoping sleeve 30 abuts along its inclined edge 34 against the points 39 of the steps 20 which are disposed above, or in the direction of the telescoping sleeve 30, the step which is engaged by the engaging member 36. In this manner, the load is more evenly distributed and removes some of the stress from the engaging member 36 and the step which is engaged therewith. Such construction provides a more reliable apparatus which is capable of sustaining somewhat heavier loads and prolongs the life of the same.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the support post 12 is provided along its elongate apertured end 16 with a plurality of spaced apertures 40. The spacing between the apertures 40 are, as the height of each of the steps 20, not critical for the purposes of the present invention. However, by selecting the distance between each of the two adjacent apertures 40 to be approximately equal in distance to the axial distance represented between the highest step 22 and lowest step 24 of the stepped rest collar 18, the overall length of the shoring apparatus can be almost continuously adjusted, as to be described hereafter. The apertures 40 form part of the second incremental stop means, as to be described hereafter.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower telescoping sleeve or member 42 has a lower slotted end 43 and an enlarged diameter end 44. An aperture 46 is provided in the enlarged diameter end 44 which extends tranversely to the axis of the sleeve 42. The aperture 46 comprises the other portion or comprises, together with the spaced apertures 40, the second incremental stop means.

Although the elongate apertured end 16 as well as the telescoping sleeve 42 have both been shown to be cylindrical or having circular cross sections, this is not a critical feature of the present invention and these may have any desired cross section such as square or rectangular. It is only of importance that the sleeve 42 he slidably mounted on the apertured end 16 so that the aperture 46 in the sleeve 42 is alignable with different ones of the apertures 40 in the support post 12 in different relative axial positions between the telescoping sleeve 42 and the support post 12. A projecting member in the nature of a pin 48 is removably receivable in respective aligned apertures 40, 46 in the support post 12 and the sleeve 42 for preventing relative axial movement therebetween once a desired relative axial condition has been fixed by the pin.

The apertures 40 together with the aperture 46 and the pin 48 represent the second incremental stop means, as that term is utilized in the specification and scribed above can equally be used, with varying degrees of advantage. A chain 50 may optionally be provided which is connected to the sleeve 42 and the pin 48 for maintaining the latter proximate to the aperture 46 and preventing the loss-thereof.

In order to facilitate removal of the shoring apparatus 10 from its supporting position wherein it supports a structure still applying a compressive load thereto, a base 52 is provided which generally comprises a slotted elongate member 54 which is slidably contained in the slotted end 43 of the sleeve 42.

Provided at one end of the slotted elongate member 54 is a flange or plate 56 which is similar to flange or plate 32, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Provided in the slotted end 43 are two slots 58 which are similarly dimensioned to two slots 60 in the slotted elongate member 54. Mounted for slidably movement within the slots 58, 60 is a locking insert member or release slide 60 which has a thicker portion 62 and a thinner portion 64 joined by a tapered or inclinedv portion 66. The thicker and thinner portions can be selectively positioned within the slots 58, 60 by moving the release slide 60 in directions transverse to the axis of the shoring apparatus. The height of the slots 58, 60 are selected to be approximately equal to the thickness of the thicker portion 62. In this manner, insertion of the thicker portions 62 into the slots 58, 60 causes the overall lengthof the shoring apparatus to increase since the upper edges of the slots, as viewed in FIG. 2, must necessarily rest on the upper surfaces of the thicker portion 62. However, movement of the release slide 60 and insertion of the thinner portion 64 into these slots causes the overall length of the shoring apparatus 10 to decrease in length since the lower surfaces of the slots are permitted to drop onto the upper surface of the thinner portion 64. The base 52 remains stationary and only the sleeve 42 is permitted to move downwardly to the extent of the difference in elevations between the upper surfaces of the thinner and thicker portions. The difference in elevations between the thinner and thicker portions may be selected to be relatively small compared to the overall length of the shoring apparatus 10. However, even such a small distance is sufficient to remove the compressive loads on the shoring apparatus since the structure which is supported thereby is normally stationary or fixed in elevation. Thus, decreasing the effective overall length of the shoring apparatus even a small amount lowers the flange or plate 32 a distance sufficiently so as to no longer be in contact with the structure being supported. This removes all stresses or loads on the shoring apparatus and the same may be easily removed without any resulting damage to the shoring apparatus or to the supported structure.

The incline or tapered surface 66 is advantageously provided to facilitate the insertion of the thicker portion 62 within the slots 58, 60. The construction is akin to a wedge which may be driven in by suitably hammering the release slide 60 on the right end thereof, as viewed in FIG. 2.

Advantageously, plates or flanges 68 are fixed to the ends of the release slide 60, the plates 68 having dimensions generally greater than those of theslots 58, 60 to 'thereby prevent the release slide 60 from fully moving out from the slots. In this manner, the release slide 60 is apermanent attachment to the shoring apparatus and assures that the apparatus can be easily and rapidly be removed.

Another important feature of the present invention is the provision of a plurality of spaced depression 70, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each of the depressions 70 is positioned relative to one another to correspond to the relative positions of the discreet steps 20 of the stepped rest collar 18.

A set screw 72 is threadedly mounted on the first or upper telescoping sleeve 30. In accordance with the presently preferred embodiment, the cylindrical end 14 of the support post 12 is cylindrical in shape and the sleeve 30 is slidably mounted thereon both in axial as well as angular directions. In this manner, each angular position of the upper telescoping sleeve 30 about the axis of the shoring device 10 represents another or a different axial position of the telescoping sleeve 30 when the latter engages a tooth of the step rest collar 18. Insertion of the set screw 72 into a respective depression 70 on the support post 12 prevents both relative axial as well as angular motion between the sleeve 30 and the cylindrical end 14. Therefore, once desired engagement between the support post 12 and the first telescoping sleeve 30 is provided by the first incremental stop means, such relative engagement is maintained and assured by preventing relative movement between the engaging member 36 and the stepped rest collar 18.

Each of the depressions or recesses 70 is so disposed about the periphery of the elongate cylindrical end 14 so that in every engaging position between the engaging members 36 and respective steps 20 the set screw 72 is disposed opposite to one of the depressions. In this manner, increased locking engagement between the set screw 70 and the cylindrical end 14 is obtained.

It should be noted, however, that the provision of the depressions 70 is optional and do not form a critical part of this invention. Under normal conditions, when the shoring apparatus is under a compressive stress, the sleeve 30 does not slide either axially or angularly relative to the stepped rest collar 18, particularly because of the inclines 28 and 37 provided on the steps 20 and engaging member 36 respectively. The depressions 70 and set screw 72 assume a greater importance when adjustment of the shoring apparatus is made prior to placing the same under the compressive stresses. Thus, the precise overall length of the shoring apparatus can be preselected or adjusted and fixed by the insertion of the pin 48 through respective apertures 46 and 40 and tightening of the set screw 72 by inserting the same into a respective depression 70 once the engaging members 36 have been positioned in the desired steps 20.

The method of using the shoring apparatus, to the extent to which it has not been described above, will now be described. With the engaging members initially positioned adjacently the lowest steps 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the pin 48 is withdrawn from the apertures 40, 46 and the support post 12 is telescoped upwardly to the desired length. Because the apertures 40 only provide a coarse adjustment, which can be compensated for by the fine adjustment to be described, the lowest aperture 40, as viewed in FIG. 2, which can be aligned with the aperture 46 is so aligned and the pin 48 is passed through the aligned apertures. This brings the flange or plate 32 within a distance of the structure to be supported which is less than the distance between two adjacent apertures 40. This corresponds to a distance intermediate the highest step 22 and the lowest step 24 when the axial distance therebetween is selected to be equal to the distance between two adjacent apertures 40.

When the supporting structure is so positioned so that abutment is obtained between itself and the flange 32 by mere alignment of the aperture 46 in a respective ones of the apertures 40, the first incremental stop means comprising the engaging member 36 and the step rest collar 18 need not be employed for fine adjustment. However, where a distance remains which corresponds to a fraction of the axial effective length of the stepped rest collar, fine adjustment is necessary. To accomplish this, the set screw 72 is loosened so as to remove the same from any of the depressions or recesses in the cylindrical end 14. With the release slide 60 thinner portion 64 disposed within the slots 58, 60, the sleeve 30 is raised, as viewed in FIG. 2, and simultaneously rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 8, until the flange 32 comes into contact with the structure to be supported and the engaging member 36 enters or engages one of the intermediate steps 20. To assure the fully extended position so achieved, the set screw 72 is tightened and enters into a respective depression or recess 70 which corresponds to the step 20 which has been engaged by the engaging member 36. Exemplary positions which are possible in making this fine adjustment are shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7.

To secure the shoring apparatus in supporting engagement with the structure to be supported, the release slide 60 is caused to slide to a position shown in FIG. 2, wherein the thicker portion 62 is disposed between the slots 58 and 60. Such sliding movement of the release slide 60 as described above, somewhat raises the lowered telescoping sleeve 42 and effectively lengthens or increases the distance between the flanges or plates 32 and 56 a distance which corresponds to the difference in thicknesses between the thicker portion 62 and the thinner portion 64. Such slidable movement of the release slide 60 may be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as for example hitting the release slide 60 with a hammer on the right plate 168, as viewed in FIG. 2. This position of the release slide is also shown in FIG. 9.

Only one set of steps may be provided which extend about the periphery of the cylindrical end 14, or a series or several cycles of such steps may be utilized in the present apparatus. The utilization of two similar series whose corresponding steps are at the same axial elevations, provides a symmetry which more evenly distributes the stresses on the support post 12. It should be clear, however, that the more series of cycles of steps which are provided, the steeper must the steps be to reach the same overall axial height in a smaller angular or circumferential distance. Thus, when one series extends about the entire 360 periphery of the stepped rest collar, each of the steps may assume a small relative increment. When two series are utilized, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, each of the steps 20 must be somewhat greater in height in the axial distance. Utilization of more than two series of steps still further increases the effective axial length of the steps since the totality of the steps must together represent the total axial height of the rest collar 18. This, of course, assumes that each of the steps is provided with inclined surfaces 28 whose dimensions remain fixed. It may be possible, in some instances, to decrease the effective area of the inclines 28 to thereby provide the same axial increments over a shorted circumferential distance or periphery.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Shoring apparatus comprising a support post; a first telescoping sleeve slidably mounted on one end of said support post; first incremental step means cooperating with said support post and said first telescoping sleeve for selectively locking the relative positions therebetween in one of a first plurality of discrete steps; a second telescoping sleeve slidably mounted on the other end of said support post; second incremental stop means cooperating with said support post and said second telescoping sleeve for selectively locking the relative positions therebetween in a second plurality of discrete steps, each of the steps of said second plurality of steps being substantially greater than each of the steps of said first plurality of steps, whereby the overall length of the shoring apparatus can be adjusted finely by adjusting said first incremental stop means, and can be adjusted coarsely by adjusting said second incremental stop means; an elongate member mounted coaxially on said second telescoping sleeve for slidable movement relative to the latter, one of said elongate member and said second telescoping sleeve being slotted; and a release slide slidably passing through the slot in said elongate member and said second telescoping sleeve, said release slide being provided with thicker and thinner portions which can be selectively positioned within said slot, whereby insertion of the thicker portion in said slot causes the overall length of the shoring apparatus to increase, and insertion of the thinner portion into said slot causes the overall length of the shoring apparatus to decrease in length to thereby facilitate removal of the shoring apparatus while a load is still applied thereto.

2. Shoring apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said thicker and thinner portions are joined by an incline, whereby slidable movement of said release slide from one position to the other is facilitated.

3. Shoring apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein end plates are provided at each end of said release slide to prevent the latter from fully moving out from said slots.

4. Shoring apparatus comprising a support post; a first telescoping sleeve slidably mounted-on one end of said support post; first incremental stop means cooperating with said support post and said first telescoping sleeve for selectively locking the relative positions therebetween in one of a first plurality of discrete steps; a second telescoping sleeve slidably mounted on the other end of said support post; second incremental stop means cooperating with said support post and said second telescoping sleeve for selectively locking the relative positions therebetween in a second plurality of discrete steps, each of the steps of said second plurality of steps being substantially greater than each of the steps of said first plurality of steps, whereby the overall length of the shoring apparatus can be adjusted finely by adjusting said first incremental stop means, and can be adjusted coarsely by adjusting said second incremental stop means; a plurality of spaced depressions in said one end of said support post, each of said depressions being positioned relative to one another to correspond to the relative positions of said discrete steps of said first incremental stop means; and a set screw threadedly mounted on said first telescoping sleeve and selectively insertable into one of said depressions, whereby locking engagement between said support post and said first telescoping sleeve provided by said first incremental stop means in one of said discrete steps is assured by insertion of said set screw into a respective depression on said support post, such insertion preventing relative rotation between said support post and said first telescoping sleeve about the common axis of the latter. 

1. Shoring apparatus comprising a support post; a first telescoping sleeve slidably mounted on one end of said support post; first incremental step means cooperating with said support post and said first telescoping sleeve for selectively locking the relative positions therebetween in one of a first plurality of discrete steps; a second telescoping sleeve slidably mounted on the other end of said support post; second incremental stop means cooperating with said support post and said second telescoping sleeve for selectively locking the relative positions therebetween in a second plurality of discrete steps, each of the steps of said second plurality of steps being substantially greater than each of the steps of said first plurality of steps, whereby the overall length of the shoring apparatus can be adjusted finely by adjusting said first incremental stop means, and can be adjusted coarsely by adjusting said second incremental stop means; an elongate member mounted coaxially on said second telescoping sleeve for slidable movement relative to the latter, one of said elongate member and said second telescoping sleeve being slotted; and a release slide slidably passing through the slot in said elongate member and said second telescoping sleeve, said release slide being provided with thicker and thinner portions which can be selectively positioned within said slot, whereby insertion of the thicker portion in said slot causes the overall length of the shoring apparatus to increase, and insertion of the thinner portion into said slot causes the overall length of the shoring apparatus to decrease in length to thereby facilitate removal of the shoring apparatus while a load is still applied thereto.
 1. Shoring apparatus comprising a support post; a first telescoping sleeve slidably mounted on one end of said support post; first incremental step means cooperating with said support post and said first telescoping sleeve for selectively locking the relative positions therebetween in one of a first plurality of discrete steps; a second telescoping sleeve slidably mounted on the other end of said support post; second incremental stop means cooperating with said support post and said second telescoping sleeve for selectively locking the relative positions therebetween in a second plurality of discrete steps, each of the steps of said second plurality of steps being substantially greater than each of the steps of said first plurality of steps, whereby the overall length of the shoring apparatus can be adjusted finely by adjusting said first incremental stop means, and can be adjusted coarsely by adjusting said second incremental stop means; an elongate member mounted coaxially on said second telescoping sleeve for slidable movement relative to the latter, one of said elongate member and said second telescoping sleeve being slotted; and a release slide slidably passing through the slot in said elongate member and said second telescoping sleeve, said release slide being provided with thicker and thinner portions which can be selectively positioned within said slot, whereby insertion of the thicker portion in said slot causes the overall length of the shoring apparatus to increase, and insertion of the thinner portion into said slot causes the overall length of the shoring apparatus to decrease in length to thereby facilitate removal of the shoring apparatus while a load is still applied thereto.
 2. Shoring apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said thicker and thinner portions are joined by an incline, whereby slidable movement of said release slide from one position to the other is facilitated.
 3. Shoring apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein end plates are provided at each end of said release slide to prevent the latter from fully moving out from said slots. 